Manchester United are reportedly set to snap up Jess Park from rivals Man City

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Summer signing drama might be over for the men, but not for Manchester as a whole, as Man United are reportedly set to snap up Jess Park from close rivals Man City.

Being two of the clubs not only with one of the fiercest rivalries but that have been among the closest to pushing serial Women’s Super League winners Chelsea to the title in recent years, it seems surprising that there’d be a willingness for the two increasingly competitive teams to negotiate over talent.

Nevertheless, there seems to be more and more concrete talk of midfielder Jess Park moving from the blue half of Manchester to the red, as Man United have grown increasingly keen on the 23-year-old.

A fan favourite at the Joie, Park has been with MCWFC for eight years, making her debut for the club at the age of just 16, but did spend 2022/23 on loan at Everton. With that in mind, her next spell away from Man City could very well be a permanent one.

With a debut goal on her Lionesses debut and strikes like the screamer against Palace in the locker, supporters won’t want to see her go.

A creative outlet for both Man City and England, Park has scored 20 times and registered 17 assists, only increasing her goal contributions each season.

It is this, as well as her overall ability in the middle of the park, that has seen Director of Women’s Football at Manchester United, Matt Johnson, and INEOS decide to pursue the neighbouring player.

She was part of the team that helped Sarina Wiegman’s side defend their European Championship this summer and is still considered one of the Lionesses’ brightest young prospects.

There were also rumours of a potential swap involving Park going one way and MUWFC’s Grace Clinton moving to Man City, but this now appears unlikely.

Nevertheless, following the initial breaker from The Guardian‘s women’s football writer, Tom Garry, The Athletic‘s Man United Women correspondent has since gone on to add that “Park and United have already agreed personal terms.”

As you can see, not only are there plenty of City fans praying that the young international doesn’t depart, but not everyone is entirely convinced by the move over at United, either – especially if a swap deal were to somehow materialise.

Online broadcaster and women’s football commentator, Mina Ibrahim, went on to add: “If Man City and Man United do a swap for Jess Park and Grace Clinton, who wins the deal?

“Hasegawa and Clinton midfield is a guarantee. I don’t imagine Park being a starter under the [manager] despite the fact [that] she should be. Why does this feel like a panicked, Deadline Day move?”

The latest, with just hours remaining of the summer transfer window, is that Manchester City are still entertaining a move for Clinton in a separate deal, who has roughly a year left on her contract after it was extended by the club back in January.

What about you, Reds and Blues – how do you feel about Jess Park seemingly leaving Man City for Man United, and what do you make of Grace Clinton possibly going the other way?

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Featured Images — Ryanasman1/LHC88 (via WikiCommons)/Man City (screenshot via YouTube)